A Tekla Structures environment defines the materials, grades, profiles, drawing settings, component settings, and .ini file settings that are used in a specific locale. There are many different environments in Tekla Structures. When you select a specific environment when you start Tekla Structures, you get the settings for that locale. You can install several environments at the same time, and you can add more environments at any time.

If you do not install any environments, only the Blank environment is available. You can use the Blank environment as the basis for your own environment or project settings. It includes standard settings, such as parametric profiles, undefined bolt, material and rebar grades, and basic drawing layouts that you can complement from your own firm or project folders and Tekla Warehouse.

Some environments give you the opportunity to select a role when signing in. The role is independent from your subscriptions or licenses. Using roles makes the user interface and settings clearer, easier, and faster for the users' tasks. Settings, filters, reports, and the user interface are set up for the role that the user has. For example, preloaded settings in object properties that are not relevant for the role are not shown.

Role selection is primarily meant to be configured by Trimble and reseller localization personnel, and is typically part of the Tekla Structures installation package. However, advanced users and Tekla Structures administrators can also create their own roles inside their company organization. Additional content is available in the Tekla Warehouse offline and online collections.

Tekla Structures has many different configurations. The subscriptions or licenses that you have determine which configurations you can use.